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Brandt Snedeker and a four-stroke cushion over Garcia, who struggled to a 75 to tie with Dustin Johnson (68).

A SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR WATNEY Besides the $1.44 million payday and the edge he gained in the FedExCup standings, his victory gave a boost to his chances of making the U.S. Ryder Cup team. He credited the victory—his fifth on TOUR—in large part to a recent attitude adjustment. He had asked his caddie Chad Reynolds what he thought the problem was.

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“He said, ‘Without a doubt, it’s your attitude,’” Watney said. “Just getting down, lingering on bad things and then making more mistakes. If this isn’t proof enough to me that staying positive is a good thing, then I don’t know what could be.”

For Garcia, who had won the

Wyndham Championship the previous week, it was all part of his learning experience—and his growing on-course maturity.

“I hit a couple bad shots at the wrong moments, and, unfortunately, I just wasn’t feeling comfortable,” he said. “I struggled a little bit with some of the shots.” Garcia was even at peace with the New

York galleries, who can be—how do we say this?—enthusiastic.

“If this isn’t proof enough to me that

Nick Watney after winning The Barclays 2012 at Bethpage State Park.

LET’S HEAR IT for Nick Watney and the power of positive thinking.

Playing at the famously pummeling Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, he proved to be the picture of resiliency on his way to winning last year’s Barclays, the first event in the FedExCup Playoffs. Watney took the lead from Sergio Garcia on the eighth hole on Sunday and then went on the rollercoaster ride of his life. First came a

156 PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2013

three-putt bogey on No. 11, which he followed with another three-putt bogey a hole later. He drove it into the woods on 13 and then buried his approach on 16 in a bunker.

Lesser men have been tempted to walk in after such a harrowing performance, but Watney hung in there and came away with his first win of the season—a win that moved him to the top of the FedExCup standings. A final round 69 gave him a three-stroke win over

staying positive is a good thing, then I don’t know what could be.” – Nick Watney

“I know the New York crowds are rowdy, but I like them,” Garcia said. “I feel like I have a good connection with them. When there are so many guys out there and so many good players, you’re always going to get a couple of guys that they are going to try to put you off here and there.” In New York? Nah… ■